A STAFFORDSHIRE bull terrier was abandoned in the cold outside a supermarket in Cobham.

A woman was caught on CCTV tying the black and brindle-coloured dog, named Duke, to a post by the trolleys at Sainsbury’s at 7.50pm on Saturday, December 11.

Footage showed her making a fuss of the animal before going into the store, but when she left five minutes later she appeared to totally ignore the animal and walked away.

The woman was wearing a jacket with a hooded top underneath and was aged in her 20s or 30s

She was seen in the store withdrawing money from a cash machine and buying a newspaper.

The RSPCA is now appealing for information in an attempt to trace her.

Inspector Dave Johnson said: “Initially it was thought that the women may just have been distracted and forgotten the dog.

“However, she did not return to the store that night and she does not appear to have contacted anyone to attempt to find it so this could be a deliberate abandonment.”

When it was clear no-one was coming back for Duke, he was saved from his ordeal by a shop worker who took him home overnight.

The animal charity is now caring for the dog and someone has already expressed an interest in offering him a new home.

The neutered male was microchipped and a scan revealed he was registered to the Alder Vet Group in Guildford.

The chip also suggested the dog had been lost in 2006 and 2009 but there is no other information to identify either the current or previous owners or to suggest where he came from or how he was found again.

Staff at the RSPCA said Duke was in good health and was well-behaved and friendly.

Anyone with information about the dog or anybody who recognises the woman at the supermarket is urged to contact the RSPCA cruelty and information line, in confidence, on 0300 1234 999.